Ezekiel 2:2

KJV

And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the spirit {H7307} entered {H935} into me when he spake {H1696} unto me, and set {H5975} me upon my feet {H7272}, that I heard {H8085} him that spake {H1696} unto me.

Complete Jewish Bible

As he spoke to me, a spirit entered me and put me on my feet, and I heard him who was speaking to me.

Berean Standard Bible

And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.

American Standard Version

And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet; and I heard him that spake unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 2:2 details a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's commissioning, where the divine Spirit actively intervenes to prepare him for his prophetic ministry. Following his overwhelming vision of God's glory, Ezekiel had fallen prostrate in awe and reverence. This verse describes the Spirit's entry into him, physically raising him to a standing posture, and enabling him to fully comprehend the divine voice that was about to deliver his challenging prophetic mandate to a rebellious nation. It underscores the essential role of divine empowerment in responding to God's call.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Ezekiel's profound and overwhelming encounter with the glory of God, as described in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory"). After witnessing the majestic chariot throne and the radiant appearance of God's likeness, Ezekiel's natural response was to fall on his face in reverence and fear ([Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel 1:28 - Ezekiel's Prostration")). Ezekiel 2:2 marks the transition from this state of prostration and awe to a posture of readiness and reception. The Spirit's action of setting him on his feet is crucial for the subsequent divine address, which begins in [Ezekiel 2:3](/ezekiel/2-3 "Ezekiel 2:3 - God's Commission to Ezekiel"), where God directly commissions Ezekiel and outlines the difficult nature of his mission to a rebellious house. This verse, therefore, serves as the preparatory bridge between the vision and the commission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, specifically by the Chebar Canal ([Ezekiel 1:1](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1 - Ezekiel by the Chebar Canal")). This was a period of national humiliation and spiritual despair for Judah, following the first wave of deportation by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. The people were far from their homeland and the Temple, grappling with questions of God's presence and faithfulness. In this setting, God raises up Ezekiel, a priest, to be His prophet to a people described as "rebellious" and "impudent" ([Ezekiel 2:3-4](/ezekiel/2-3 "Ezekiel 2:3-4 - The Rebellious House of Israel")). The act of falling on one's face was a common posture of worship, humility, or fear in the presence of a superior, especially deity, throughout the ancient Near East. Being "set upon one's feet" implied being raised to a position of attention, respect, and readiness to receive instruction or perform a task, often in the presence of a king or divine messenger.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 2:2](/ezekiel/2-2 "Ezekiel 2:2 - The Spirit Enters Ezekiel") powerfully contributes to several key themes in the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Empowerment**, emphasizing that prophetic ministry, or any true spiritual service, is not initiated or sustained by human ability but by the direct intervention and enabling power of God's Spirit. This theme recurs throughout Ezekiel, such as when the Spirit transports Ezekiel or gives him visions (e.g., [Ezekiel 3:12](/ezekiel/3-12 "Ezekiel 3:12 - The Spirit Lifts Ezekiel")). Secondly, the theme of **Readiness for Service** is prominent. The physical act of being set on his feet symbolizes a spiritual transformation from overwhelmed awe to an active, attentive posture, prepared to receive and deliver God's word, no matter how challenging. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Divine Communication and Reception**, as the ultimate purpose of the Spirit's action is "that I heard him that spake unto me." It stresses the necessity of spiritual enablement to truly hear and comprehend God's voice, a prerequisite for faithful obedience and effective proclamation, a concept echoed in other prophetic calls like that of Samuel ([1 Samuel 3:10](/1_samuel/3-10 "1 Samuel 3:10 - Samuel Hears God's Call")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** H7307 refers to "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In this context, it unequivocally denotes the Spirit of God, indicating a powerful, life-giving, and empowering divine force. The entry of the "spirit" signifies a supernatural infusion of divine energy and presence, essential for Ezekiel to fulfill his demanding prophetic office. It is the very essence of God's active power.
* **Set (Hebrew, _ʻâmad'_):** H5975 means "to stand," "to establish," or "to appoint." Here, it describes the Spirit's action of firmly placing Ezekiel on his feet. This is more than a mere physical repositioning; it is a symbolic act of establishing, confirming, and empowering Ezekiel for his task. It contrasts sharply with his previous state of prostration, signifying a transition from passive awe to active readiness for service.
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085 means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and obedience. The Spirit's action enables Ezekiel not just to perceive sound, but to truly comprehend and internalize the divine message. This "hearing" is active and spiritual, preparing him to accurately receive and transmit God's word, highlighting the critical link between divine enablement and prophetic reception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the spirit entered into me":** This clause describes the immediate and direct intervention of God's Spirit. It signifies a profound spiritual indwelling and empowerment, transforming Ezekiel's inner state and equipping him with the necessary divine authority and strength for his calling. This is the source of his subsequent ability.
* **"when he spake unto me":** This phrase establishes the timing and purpose of the Spirit's entry. It indicates that the divine empowerment was precisely concurrent with God's communication, enabling Ezekiel to be in the proper state to receive and process the divine word. The Spirit's action is directly linked to the act of divine revelation.
* **"and set me upon my feet":** This clause describes the physical and symbolic consequence of the Spirit's indwelling. From a posture of prostration (reverence/fear), Ezekiel is raised to a standing position. This signifies a transition to readiness, attentiveness, and the capacity to stand before God as His messenger, prepared to listen and obey. It is a posture of active engagement.
* **"that I heard him that spake unto me":** This final clause states the ultimate outcome and purpose of the Spirit's work. The Spirit's entry and the physical raising were all for the sake of enabling Ezekiel to truly hear, understand, and internalize the divine voice. This emphasizes the critical importance of spiritual discernment in receiving God's word, ensuring the prophet could fully grasp the message he was to deliver.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the physical action of being "set... upon my feet" powerfully symbolizes a spiritual transformation from overwhelmed awe and humility to a posture of readiness, attentiveness, and capacity for divine service. This physical act is a **Metonymy** for spiritual empowerment and commissioning. The phrase "the spirit entered into me" is a form of **Personification**, attributing active agency to the Spirit, portraying it as a distinct entity capable of entering and acting upon a person. The entire sequence demonstrates **Divine Action**, where God, through His Spirit, is the primary agent, initiating, enabling, and preparing Ezekiel for his prophetic role, underscoring the sovereign nature of God's call and the necessity of His empowerment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 2:2 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine enablement for divine service. Just as God's Spirit empowered Ezekiel for his challenging prophetic task, so too does the Holy Spirit equip and enable believers for their unique callings and ministries within God's kingdom. This verse teaches that true spiritual work flows not from human strength or inherent ability, but from the indwelling and empowering presence of God's Spirit, which prepares us to hear, understand, and obey His voice, regardless of the daunting nature of the task or the resistance we may face. It is a foundational truth that God never calls without also equipping.

* [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Call and Willingness")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 2:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating their faith journeys and callings. In a world that often values self-reliance and human capability, this verse powerfully reorients us to the essential truth that divine service is predicated on divine empowerment. We, like Ezekiel, may find ourselves overwhelmed by the majesty of God, the weight of His call, or the challenges of a resistant world. Yet, the Spirit's action of setting Ezekiel on his feet reminds us that God's grace always meets our weakness. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of spiritual readiness, not just in times of crisis, but as a continuous disposition, actively seeking the Holy Spirit's indwelling and enablement. This readiness allows us to truly hear God's voice amidst the clamor of life, understand His will, and obediently step into the purposes He has for us, knowing that He provides all that is needed to accomplish His work through us. Our primary task is to be attentive and yielded, allowing the Spirit to raise us up for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel overwhelmed or inadequate, and how might you invite the Holy Spirit to "set you upon your feet" in those areas?**
* **How does the emphasis on "hearing" in this verse challenge or affirm your current practices of listening for God's voice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of spiritual readiness and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit's leading in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Ezekiel falling on his face before the Spirit entered him?**

Answer: Ezekiel's prostration on his face, as described in [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel 1:28 - Ezekiel's Prostration"), signifies a profound response of awe, reverence, and humility in the overwhelming presence of God's glory. It is a posture of submission and fear before the divine majesty. The Spirit entering him and setting him on his feet ([Ezekiel 2:2](/ezekiel/2-2 "Ezekiel 2:2 - The Spirit Enters Ezekiel")) then marks a transition from this state of overwhelmed worship to one of active readiness for prophetic engagement. It shows that while reverence is essential, God also desires His servants to be prepared to stand and receive His word, equipped by His Spirit.

**Does "the spirit" in Ezekiel 2:2 refer to Ezekiel's human spirit or the Holy Spirit?**

Answer: In the context of Ezekiel's commissioning and the powerful, supernatural actions described (entering, setting on feet, enabling hearing), "the spirit" (Hebrew: _ruach_) unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. This is consistent with its use throughout the Old Testament where the Spirit of God empowers individuals for specific tasks, especially prophetic ministry (e.g., [Numbers 11:25](/numbers/11-25 "Numbers 11:25 - The Spirit on the Elders"), [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28 - God's Spirit Poured Out")). The Spirit's active role here is to divinely enable Ezekiel, far beyond any natural human capacity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 2:2, with its emphasis on divine empowerment for prophetic service, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and subsequently, in the church empowered by His Spirit. Jesus Himself was uniquely anointed by the Holy Spirit for His messianic mission; the Spirit descended upon Him at His baptism ([Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "Matthew 3:16 - Jesus' Baptism")), empowering Him to preach the good news, heal the sick, and cast out demons ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Just as the Spirit set Ezekiel on his feet to hear and proclaim God's word, so too did the Spirit enable Jesus to perfectly embody and articulate the Father's will. Furthermore, Christ's work culminates in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), fulfilling the promise of a new covenant where God's Spirit would dwell within His people ([Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - A New Spirit")). Through Christ, we receive the same Spirit that empowered Ezekiel, enabling us to stand firm in faith, hear God's voice, and participate in His ongoing mission to a world in need, bearing witness to the resurrected Lord ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). Thus, Ezekiel's experience foreshadows the universal availability of divine empowerment through Christ for all who are called to follow Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 3:24

Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.

Ezekiel 3:12

Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, [saying], Blessed [be] the glory of the LORD from his place.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Numbers 11:26

But there remained two [of the] men in the camp, the name of the one [was] Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they [were] of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

Daniel 8:18

Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Judges 13:25

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Nehemiah 9:30

Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.